Choosing Sarah Palin Ruined John McCain

I have always thought the biggest reason to choose McCain over Obama was his proven ability to make ethical choices he believed to be correct in the face of opposition and in disagreement with his own party, his maverick quality, if you will. On tough issues like climate change, judicial nominations, torture, and immigration reform he had refused to march in lockstep with his party, instead doing what he believed to be correct. Early in his presidential campaign, when the Democratic candidates were pontificating against the surge, and even the other Republican ones were wavering and engaging in copious amounts of double-talk, McCain never wavered in his support, famously saying he ould rather lose an election than lose a war. Clearly it is not enough just to make decisions one believes are correct irregardless of public opinion and presssure, as we have found out to America's detriment during the Bush presidency. What sets McCain apart is that he is so often right, whereas Bush has been so often wrong.

In choosing Sarah Palin, however, McCain has failed this test on both levels. It has become clear that he initially wanted to choose Tom Ridge or Joe Lieberman, two men who share many of his idelogicial views, are moderate, and have years of experience in Washington. Unfortunately, they are both pro-choice, and the evangelical base made it quite clear that they would be unwilling to support McCain if he chose one of them. Already weak with the religious base, he caved in to the pressure and chose someone who appealed to them instead.

In choosing Mrs. Palin, McCain went against his own judgement for political gain, and in so doing undercut what I believe was his strongest argument. Not only did he not follow his inner convictions, he also chose someone who will bring no substantive benefit to governing. Think about it. Can you imagine her doing anything substantive as vice president? Furthermore, one of McCain's greatest weaknesses has long been his age. I have always argued that this should be a moot point, assuming he chose a vice-presidential nominee who would be qualified to lead the country should he ever be unable. Having listened to Ms. Palin for a few weeks now, she is quite clearly unprepared to lead this country. Her lack of knowledge and comically absurd views are hard to reconcile with her possible future as head of the most powerful country on earth.

John McCain may not have been willing to lose a war to be president, but he was apparently ready to lose his reputation for honesty, good judgement, and independent decision-making. It pains me to write this, but I think John McCain is a maverick no longer, and I have come to believe he may not be the best choice for president.